Scholarships

These, and many other scholarships, are now available by way of Cal Poly Humboldt’s online scholarship system.  To access & apply, select the Scholarships button in the Financial Matters Quick Links section of your portal.

Scholarships & Awards For the 2026/2027 Academic Year 

Scholarships administered by the Department of Biological Sciences,
Cal Poly Humboldt

Brusca Zoology Scholarship

Purpose:  To honor Gary Brusca for his many years of inspiring student interest in Invertebrate Zoology. Presented annually to graduate students in their 1st or 2nd year at Humboldt with an exceptional interest and promise in field and/or laboratory studies of Invertebrate Zoology. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding. Deadline: March 1

Dennis K. Walker Botany Award

Purpose: Recognition of the outstanding undergraduate botany student in each year's graduating class. Selection by the Botanical Awards Committee is based primarily on academic excellence. Final recipient selection made in early spring by the Botanical Awards Committee. Deadline: None; faculty nominations only

Ferguson Family Research Fund

The Ferguson Family Research Fund is intended to provide mentorship to undergraduate students by graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences. Funds shall be used to provide (1) stipends to undergraduate students while working on projects developed by graduate students and their faculty advisers, and/or (2) a limited amount of research supplies necessary for the undergraduate to contribute to the project, such as field gear. The goal of the fund is to enable undergraduate students to participate in a research environment, gaining valuable experience that can help them develop into practicing scientists. The hope is that a wide range of undergraduate students will participate in the program, and first-generation students are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are initiated by graduate students and should include a project proposal that is approved by their major adviser (due date typically in February). Undergraduate students will then apply to work on the projects that are funded (tentative due date in March).
 

Fred and Margaret Telonicher Memorial Scholarship

Purpose:  Granted annually to a Cal Poly Humboldt undergraduate student in any concentration or major within the Department of Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students, in any stage of their college studies, are invited to apply.  The award shall be given exclusively on the basis of academic excellence. Deadline: April 1

Gregory Mark Jennings Botany Award

Named in memory of Gregory Jennings, a graduate student of Humboldt (‘99 B.S. Botany, ’03 M.A. Biological Sciences). The purpose of this annual award is to promote the acknowledgment and dissemination of research in the field of botany. The annual award will support graduate students to travel for the purpose of presenting their research to a professional audience, or for expenses related to publishing their research. Eligible students are those pursuing a graduate degree in Biology, with a preference for those students with an area of research in botany. Final recipient selection will be made in early Spring by the Botanical Awards Committee. Deadline: None; faculty nominations only

James F. Welsh Biology Scholarship

The James F. Welsh Biology Scholarship endowment will provide multiple scholarships of $2,500 - $3,000, depending on available funds, to be awarded early every fall semester. The Welsh Biology Scholarship supports students who intend to go to graduate school after obtaining their Bachelor's degree from Humboldt. The award is not intended for students planning on attending professional schools such as medical, pharmacy or veterinary school. To be eligible for the award, you must meet the following application criteria: 1) you must currently be classified as having senior class standing (90 or more completed units); 2) You must be enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt for spring 2026 semester (that is when the funds will be disbursed; students graduating this semester are not eligible, unless attending CPH as a graduate student in spring) 3) you must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; 4) must be a biology, botany, or zoology major; and 5) you must intend to pursue graduate education in some area of the biological sciences. This award will be made in the fall of each year. Faculty will nominate eligible students based on the above criteria. Students will have the opportunity to fill out an interest form sent by the department in the fall of each year. 
The application will open in the fall and interested students will be able to fill out an interest form. Check back in Sept/Oct for more information.

Master's Student Grant

The Master’s Student Grant award is made possible by the Department of Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt and the Biology Graduate Students Association (BGSA Club). Funds are distributed to graduate students through one grant allocation per year, which is administered by the Master’s Student Grant Program Committee and/or the BGSA Club administrator. This year, the BGSA Club has generously offered to contribute up to $1,500 to fund some of the grants; therefore, a portion of the awards will be funded by the Department and the other portion of the awards will be funded by the BGSA Club.

To be eligible, graduate students must be enrolled during the semester that the grant is given and when the funds are actually spent. This year, we anticipate 6-7 grants will be awarded and each student will be awarded up to $500 in qualified research expenses (such as supplies, transportation to field sites, travel to meetings, etc...). Students who receive a grant that is administered by the Department will need to meet with the department coordinator to arrange for reimbursement and/or help with ordering supplies. Students who receive a grant administered by the BGSA Club will need to contact the Club to arrange for payment.
A call will go out to the graduate students in spring to submit applications.

Michael B. Smeaton Biology Scholarship

Purpose: Provide one annual scholarship to a Biology undergraduate student majoring in the Cellular/Molecular concentration. Must have at least a sophomore standing when receiving funds and have a financial need. Preference will be given to students planning to enter the medical field or graduate school. Deadline: April 1

Milton J. Boyd Teaching Associate Award

Purpose: The Milton J. Boyd Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award in Biological Sciences is intended to recognize outstanding first year graduate students in the Biological Sciences, who have served the department as a Teaching Associate through exemplary performance to enhance academic instruction in the classroom, laboratory, or field experience at Cal Poly Humboldt. Selection will be made by faculty nomination. Deadline: None; faculty nominations only

Moonstone Crossing Award

Cancer Research Assistantship 
This award will support up to two Humboldt undergraduate and/or graduate students to do a cancer related BIOL 499 research project in the laboratory of Dr. Amy Sprowles during the Spring semester. Two awards will be given, in varying amounts. One award will be for students from backgrounds typically underrepresented in the field of biomedical research such as low income, first generation college student, or underrepresented cultural groups. Applicants must complete the application form and submit via email to: biosci@humboldt.edu 

Rumble Award for Excellence in Botany

Purpose: Recognition of an outstanding graduate botany student. Selection by the Botanical Awards Committee is based primarily on academic excellence. Final recipient selection made in early Spring by the Botanical Awards Committee. Deadline: None; faculty nominations only

Siering/Wilson Undergraduate Research Endowment

The Siering/Wilson Research Endowment is a program designed to fund undergraduate research activities in the broad disciplines of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology. Proposals from undergraduate students (freshman to seniors) in ALL departments within the College of Natural Resources (CNRS) at Cal Poly Humboldt will be considered. Projects may be theoretical, investigative, hypothesis-driven, or applied in focus. Since most questions related to the field of microbial ecology are interdisciplinary in nature, projects that involve collaborations among faculty mentors with different disciplinary expertise will be given preference. We anticipate multiple grants of $500-$1500 will be awarded to support projects to be conducted in the Spring, Summer and/or Fall of 2027. Funds may be used for research supplies and services (e.g. DNA sequencing, environmental analysis), but may not be used for travel. 
Download the application here: Siering Wilson Undergraduate Research Endowment Application 26/27 or email Dr. Mark Wilson for more information at msw13@humboldt.edu. 
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, December 9, 2026 by 5 p.m. PST.
 

Sterling J. Sam Botany Diversity Award

Purpose: To provide underrepresented students a chance at earning a botany degree, so they can make a positive impact on the community and commitment to the botanical profession. All qualified students are encouraged to apply, including those who belong to one of a number of campus clubs focused on underrepresented students, individuals with a disability, Native Americans, and/or students who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is based primarily on academic experience, but field and/or research experience will also be considered. Qualifying Botany seniors and graduate students are invited to apply. Selection will be made by the Botanical Awards Committee. Deadline is April 1. 

Vera Woolford Scholarship

Purpose: Provide scholarships for worthy students at Cal Poly Humboldt who are interested in and who are pursuing study of the medical sciences. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding. Deadline: March 4

Scholarships administered by other departments at Cal Poly Humboldt

Ballard Scholarship

The Ballard scholarship is awarded to students on the basis of financial need. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding. One scholarship awarded to a Biology student and one scholarship is open to any major.

Ernest P. Fusi Scholarship in Natural Resources

Purpose:  Scholarship to honor Ernest P. Fusi to promote the interests in furthering the education of full time CNRS students in the areas of natural resources. Must maintain a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding.

The Fusi and Dusi Scholarship

The Fusi and Dusi scholarship is awarded to a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in natural resources majors who have completed at least two courses taught bv natural resources facultv in the eligible majors at Humboldt, have at least two semesters of course work vet to be completed at Humboldt, academic achievement with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (Humboldt & transfer courses if applicable), as determined by the FAFSA. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding.

Gary Estenson Memorial Scholarship

Purpose: Undergraduate students who are majoring in Marine Biology or Fisheries Biology. Must have at least a 3.00 GPA and financial need. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding.

L. O. McDuff Scholarship

Purpose:  Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in Fisheries Biology, Marine Biology or Environmental Science: Ecological Restoration, with GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrated financial need, with preference given to students within minimal or no support from parents. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding. 

Malcolm Oliphant Scholarships in Marine Science

Purpose:  Awarded on the basis of excellence, as judged by the Awards Committee. Work in progress at the Telonicher Marine Laboratory, Trinidad, will be one factor considered in the award of the scholarships. Students working on projects at the Marine Laboratory or working on marine science projects elsewhere that have implications for marine organisms are encouraged to apply. Academic promise will be demonstrated by scholastic achievement in at least two consecutive semesters of enrollment at Humboldt and by letters provided by two faculty members familiar with the academic achievements of the applicant. Potential or promise for a productive career in some aspect of marine science will be considered. Graduate or undergraduate students must have at least two semesters remaining to complete degree requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree or a Master’s degree. Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding.

Nordstrom & White Pre-Vet Scholarship:

This scholarship will support at least two students who are enrolled in the Pre-Veterinary Program. Scholarship to be received during the junior or senior years of study. Must be in good standing and demonstrate financial aid need as determined by the FAFSA or Dream applications. Deadline:  January 31.

Stephen Hillenburg Marine Science Research Award: 

The Stephen Hillenburg Marine Science Research Award will be awarded based on a research proposal and academic excellence, as judged by the Awards Committee. The award recognizes students conducting creative research who may “think outside the box” in developing and applying innovative approaches to address important ecological and societal questions. Stephen Hillenburg was a Humboldt alum and became well known for creating the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon. Hillenberg passed away in 2018 from ALS, but before he passed, he and his wife Karen set up a scholarship for Marine Science students.
More information about this scholarship will be posted when it becomes available.

William C. Vinyard Scholarship (Botanical Research): 
This scholarship is administered through the Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarship program and is for students interested in botanical research. You can apply for it using the standard campus application in your MyHumboldt Student Center: https://humboldt.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/Scholarships/Search
Deadline is 1/31/26.

Scholarships Administered by the Humboldt Area Foundation and Other Entities

Aawok Troy Fletcher Memorial Scholarship Fund: The Aawok Troy Fletcher Memorial Scholarship Fund supports students who are Yurok Tribal Members studying Natural Resources ((including land acquisition, biology, fisheries, water issues, natural resource restoration, watershed restoration, wildlife management and other aspects related to natural resources, such as policy making.) Interested students can apply for the 2026 Universal Application, which houses the Aawok Troy Fletcher Memorial Scholarship. We encourage you to share this opportunity, amongst the 170+ additional scholarship opportunities within the Universal Application, offered by Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation. There is a tutorial video to help walk students through the process of completing the eligibility quiz, and the subsequent application. That video can be viewed here. There is also a step-by-step application guide, for students who cannot view the video. More information on the HAF+WRCF Scholarship Finder can be found here. The Universal Application Period typically runs from mid-January to early March each year.
Contact Savannah Sonia, Grants & Scholarships Associate at savannahs@hafoundation.org or by phone at (707) 284-0180.

American Association of University Women (AAUW); Scholarships for Female Re-Entry Students: The Humboldt Branch of the American Association of University Women is now accepting applications for its Re-entry Scholarships. Re-entry students meeting the scholarship eligibility requirements below are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
• Women residing in Humboldt, Del Norte or Trinity County
• Currently enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt in upper division or graduate courses
• Return to college after a hiatus of 5 years or more in collegiate education
• Grade point average (GPA) at CPH of at least 3.0 (if available)
• Demonstrate financial needs
SCHOLARSHIP RANGE: $1,000-$2,500
More details and the complete application packet are available at:
https://humboldt-ca.aauw.net/education/scholarship/ 

American Society of Mammalogists:  The American Society of Mammaglogists (ASM) is deeply committed to training future generations of mammalogists. This includes offering multiple sources of financial support to students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career investigators engaged in research on mammals. It also includes travel funds to promote student presentations at the Society’s annual meeting. These awards provide funding for student research projects. Applications for most of the awards are due 1 March at 11:59pm (EST), and the African Graduate Student Research Fund Award is 15 April at 11:59 (EST); all applications should be submitted online here. The Society is currently accepting applications for the Black and Indigenous Scholars award in Mammalogy until 11:59 p.m. PST on October 30, 2026. For more information on this award and to apply, please visit: https://www.mammalsociety.org/form/black-indigenous-scholars-award  

Botanical Society of America, PLANTS Grant: The PLANTS grant is a travel award for underrepresented undergraduates to attend the annual Botany conference, including mentorship from both peer and experienced mentors within the field of botany. The PLANTS program (Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists) continues the tradition of the Botanical Society of America to encourage the participation of undergraduates at the annual meetings of the BSA and affiliated organizations. The PLANTS program will pay the expenses of up to 12 undergraduates annually to participate in the meetings and to receive mentoring from both peer (advanced undergraduate and graduate students) and senior mentors (postdocs, faculty, and other professionals) in the plant sciences. You do not need to be a current BSA member to apply. Do not forget to upload your transcript and have your letter of recommendation sent via email to complete your application. 
Eligibility: Students must be able to attend the entire Botany conference (typically held in August). BSA leads this program, in conjunction with our partners at the American Society of Plant Taxonomists and the Society for Herbarium Curators, in support of a more inclusive and accessible culture in the botanical community.
Learn more and apply at: https://botany.org/home/awards/travel-awards-for-students/plants-grants/plants-scholars.html

California Garden Clubs Inc. Scholarship Program: Annually a minimum of two (2) CGCI Scholarships are available, each in the amount of $2,000. The number of scholarships and their amount for each academic year will be determined annually. One-year scholarships are available to juniors, seniors and graduate students pursuing a Master's Degree. 
Link to the webpage for more information
This year's application deadline has already passed (Jan. 15, 2026).  Check back next January for the 2027 information and to apply.

California Native Plant Society Research Grants: The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) invites undergraduate and graduate students to apply for our 2026 research grants! Applications are now open! Applications are evaluated on the basis of their ability to advance the California Native Plant Society's mission of conserving California's native plants and their natural habitats, now and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Successfully funded projects will relate to topics that intersect with California native plants and expand on information gaps within the natural and social sciences, including but not limited to conservation, botany, ecology, land management, horticulture, communications, economics, history, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, or other cultural connections to native plants.  
 Learn more and apply at:  https://www.cnps.org/education/students/grants. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

CSU COAST Awards (CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science and Technology): The California State University (CSU) Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) was established in 2008 to integrate systemwide expertise and resources and promote research that advances our knowledge of ocean and coastal systems. Today, COAST is an active and robust community of hundreds of CSU faculty members, researchers, and students from diverse disciplines actively working to answer questions about our oceans and coasts and address our most pressing challenges. COAST provides several different types of awards for both undergraduates and graduate students. To learn more about what's available, visit the COAST website:
https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/research/coast/Pages/default.aspx

Eureka Sequoia Garden Club/ Mary Lou Goodwin Memorial Scholarship: The Eureka Sequoia Garden Club was founded in 1967 with goals to promote interest for all aspects of amateur gardening, horticulture and floral and landscape design; encourage and engage in community and roadside beautification projects; educate, promote, and participate in projects programs to safeguard our natural resources; and to aid in protecting California’s native plants, wildlife and natural beauty. The Mary Lou Goodwin Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a local college or high school student from Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, or an unincorporated area, who displays interest and aptitude in the fields of Agriculture, Plant Science, Horticulture, Landscape Design, Environmental Studies, Floral Arrangement, or a related field. 
Successful applicants should demonstrate experience or aptitude in one of the following fields for a career in:
botany
conservation
floriculture
horticulture
landscape architecture
plant biology and/or plant genetics
community supported agriculture and farm sciences
plant and environmental sciences
The scholarship application process typically opens in January or February of each year with a deadline of March 31st. More information will be posted here when it is made available.

The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society (HBMS) Community Education Scholarship: The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society (HBMS) is pleased to announce the annual Community Education Scholarship, with an award of $800. The recipient will be required to give a 45-minute to 1-hour presentation on a mycology-related topic of their choice. This presentation, including a PowerPoint, will be delivered in person at our monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Arcata, CA. This is a great chance for students to deepen their knowledge, share their interests with the community, and gain presentation experience. Students who are interested may also want to attend one of our upcoming monthly meetings before applying. Our September 16 and October 21 meetings will both begin at 7:00 p.m. at 24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA. Attending a meeting is a great way for students to meet our members, see the types of speakers and presentations we host, become familiar with the location and meeting format, and get a better sense of what their own presentation could look like. Information about these and other upcoming meetings is available on our website under Events: HBMS Events 
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.hbmycologicalsociety.org/scholarships
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026

Pamela and David Largent in Mycology/Cryptogamic Botany: This scholarship will be awarded to a full time undergraduate or graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt who is interested in Mycology and/or Cryptogamic Botany.
Undergraduate students: 1) must be enrolled in the Department of Biological Sciences with a major in Botany B.S and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times; 2) One or more of the diversity courses in the Botany Major must be in Mycology (Botany 358, 359, 360 and 360L, 394). Graduate students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA and their thesis must involve some aspect of mycology. 
Applicants must apply for this scholarship using Humboldt Area Foundation's Universal scholarship application. To that application, they must add a 75 word document that indicates why they applied for this scholarship and why they like Fungi or Cryptogamic Botany. Students are only eligible to receive the scholarship one time. 
If there are no Mycology applicants, then Cryptogamic Botany may be considered. If there are no Mycology nor Cryptogamic Botany applicants, then no scholarship will be given.
The application window is typically mid-January with a deadline in mid-March. Details will be posted here when they become available.

Green Diamond Resource Company, Natural Resources Scholarship: Green Diamond is a sixth-generation, family-owned forest products company that owns and manages working forests in nine states throughout the western and southern U.S. Green Diamond offers several scholarship and internship opportunities including the Green Diamond Natural Resources Job Shadow and Scholarship Program, the Mark E. Reed Scholarship Program, Natural Resources Scholarship Program, Green Diamond Scholarships for Native Youth, the James T. Brown Forestry Scholarship, and the Lowell Diller Wildlife Scholarship.
Learn more about Green Diamond Resource Company Scholarships on their website at: https://www.greendiamond.com/communities/scholarships

Humboldt Area Foundation & Wild Rivers Community Foundation's 2027 Universal Application: Scholarship Finder is Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation’s regional hub for scholarships. Scholarship Finder is home to not only the HAF+WRCF Universal Application, but highlights many additional scholarship opportunities for students. 
The HAF+WRCF Universal Application is one application for nearly 200 scholarship opportunities. The Universal Application opens in mid-January each year, with an early March deadline. However, scholarships are offered throughout the year, so check back often!  Application support, including tutorials and an FAQ, may be found on the HAF+WRCF Website. For questions and
application support, contact: Savannah Sonia, Grants & Scholarships Coordinator, savannahs@hafoundation.org (707) 284-0180 or Sydney Morrone, Grants & Scholarships Manager, sydneym@hafoundation.org (707) 442-6775
View a full list of scholarships that are included in the Universal application, here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wVf-yN0rovyZAMTx9c4erLi65exJRZeE9VhAPdjMkRE/edit#gid=0

Manual C. Kaster Scholarship: The Manuel C. Kaster Scholarship Fund has been established to provide financial
support to deserving Cal Poly Humboldt undergraduate students pursuing a zoology degree. Students must have a minimum 2.5 gpa and be entering their last two years of college. Fields of study include zoology and biology, with an emphasis in ecology/biodiversity, environmental biology, general biology, marine biology, or microbiology. The Manual C. Kaster Scholarship is included in the above mentioned Humboldt Area Foundation & Wild Rivers Community Foundation's 2027 Universal Application, which typically opens in January of each year. 

North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Student Research Grants: The North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) offers student research grants of up to $4,000 for studies focused on local, native plants and their habitats. This grant is available to undergraduate and graduate students at Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods. The purpose of these grants is to assist and promote student research that leads to a greater understanding of native plants and their habitats and, ideally, better conservation and management outcomes.  Research topics and approaches can vary widely and include but are not limited to basic biology, taxonomy, ecological interactions, vegetation, evolutionary biology, climate change, traditional ecological knowledge, ecological restoration, listed species recovery, invasive species eradication and management, and native plant habitat studies. However, the research must focus on plants native to Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, and Del Norte Counties.
Please see the website for details; applications are due by March 15th. 

Northern California Botanists; Barbara Castro Student Botany Research Scholarship Program: Northern California Botanists is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year! Northern California Botanists provides competitive botany and plant ecology scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students attending a college or university. Research scholarships will be funded by NCB with the goals of encouraging undergraduate students to pursue academic endeavors toward a career in botany, promoting undergraduate and graduate botany and plant ecology research and implementing objectives of the NCB mission. Applications for the 2027-2028 academic year will be available in November 2026!
For more information, visit the website at:  https://norcalbotanists.org/scholarships/